Exalted: Orgiastic Triumph of the Chosen

[HookerBoots]

As the others stripped down, the tall dancer watched as subtly as she could. There was nothing at all wrong with any of them, but she didn't want anyone to feel uncomfortable. Though, if they were stripping in front of the group, it shouldn't be an issue. Roaring Winds, Scarlet's Lunar mate, was well-built, smooth without being too fleshy, the colors of his skin and tattoos contrasting pleasingly. The red-haired beauty herself, however, was even more stunning, the dark tattoos on her back and the mounting of the stone there adding and accenting her pale skin and smooth curves.

Tri, of course, looked golden and glorious, almost more beautiful and at peace in her own house. Knowing the woman, Ivory Dawn could make a safe guess as to what the worship in this temple-home would be like.

Ivory Dawn had shimmied out of the leather breeches she wore, and slipped into the bath as well, her coppery hair spreading through the water like some exotic water plant as she peered at the vials of marked bath soaps. "Oooh, they have soap for your hair!" She picked up a vial of it and poured some into her hand, sniffing it. "Oranges. Huh." Her hands lathered up the soap and she turned to the others, all floating more or less on their own. "All right, ladies and gentleman, free hair wash and scalp massage by yours truly. Scarlet, if you'd like, you can have the first one, as thanks for being concerned for me."

 

[Kinkerhell]

Scarlet looks up at Ivory Dawn and thinks for a moment, then nods gently and glides smoothly through the water toward the coppery-haired dancer. "Thank you, though concern warrants no repayment. I was just doing what any friend would-aah!" Scarlet cries out, a small sound of anguish as something tugs on the strings of her soul. For second, she can feel a wave of chill power, a vastly greater and darker version of the same power she herself channels, poised to wash over her and threatening to drown her in its frozen blackness.

Then it recedes, and Scarlet is left with the distinct impression that it was a warning. But against what? Her words? Her actions? No, that couldn't be it. Scarlet bites her lip as realization dawns, so to speak. It is a warning against her kindness, against her caring. In the wake of her words to Ivory Dawn, the casual words of friendship, her soul has been stained just a little darker to compensate. Scarlet stands awkwardly in the water, her topaz eyes shimmering and the gem in her back casting a soft purple radiance across her buttocks, hips, and lower back.

Without a word Scarlet turns away from Ivory Dawn and walks to the edge of the pool. She can come wash herself up later when the others are asleep. If she stays, she's afraid of what might happen. Kindness might get her new friends killed, and in the house of Sol Invictus, calling up her darkness was likely to either result in a violent death, or cause her to have to slaughter the innocents in this temple.

Climbing out of the water, Scarlet lifts a large, soft square of linen off of a hook on the wall and dries off quickly, refusing to meet the eyes of the rest of the circle, or to acknowledge any words, whispers, or questions. Once dry, she picks up her armor, shoes, and swords, wraps the towel around herself, and leaves the room, almost running, though even she can't say from what.

 

[HookerBoots]

Ivory Dawn didn't say anything, her eyebrows furrowed in concern and concentration. That was very, very odd. It was clear that Scarlet was in difficulty, no question, but what had caused it? As the slender girl pulled herself out of the bath, Tri moved towards where she was drying herself. "Scarlet, what . . . ?"

When the girl refused to look at Tri, Ivory Dawn moved over to the blond Solar and rested one hand on her arm. When Tri looked over, the copper-haired dancer shook her head once, slightly. There was no point in talking if Scarlet wouldn't even look at them. But the mystery of it was profound. What could have triggered such a response?

They watched as Scarlet almost ran from the room, and before her heels had vanished from sight, Ivory Dawn pulled herself from the water and grabbed another length of linen to dry herself. "Don't worry - it was my fault, whatever it was, so I'll see if I can make it right," she said softly, wrapping the linen around her bare body and heading out the door after Scarlet.

It wasn't hard, following the other woman - the armor she wore and her weapons all made music, and she wasn't trying to hide, just get away from them. The sound led Ivory Dawn through the halls until she stopped hearing music and started hearing heavy breathing and sounds of sadness.

She slowed, walking around the corner and into the small room - what had to be some sort of guest room, given the furnishings - that Scarlet had stopped in. The girl was curled in a corner, eyes closed tightly, her face contorted in fear and hatred.

Remembering the last time she'd shocked Scarlet with a physical touch, Ivory Dawn stayed several arm lengths back, but crouched down, holding the towel around herself with one hand. "Scarlet," she said softly and calmly, "please tell me what's wrong. I can't help if I don't know what's the matter."

 

[Kinkerhell]

Scarlet, her arms around her knees and eyes closed tightly, shakes her head even as she feels that darkness roll in once more, its frigid tendrils resting on her soul, lightly now, but with infinite patience and infinite malice.

No, no, no no nononononono! All Ivory Dawn wants to do is help her, and more than anything in the world Scarlet wants to accept her help. But how can she? To accept help is to be weak. To be weak is to invite in the darkness. To invite in the darkness is to become a monster. But she can't go on like this! Scarlet, at a loss for anything else to do, begins to cry. Her sobs are silent but wrack her whole body, and bloody tears roll out from under her eyelids. In a small, cracking voice, she says, "Please, Ivory Dawn. Please go away. I don't want to hurt you." She knows that even thinking of the woman as a friend is putting her in danger, and trying to save the dancer, even from Scarlet herself, causes the malevolent power to tighten its hold on Scarlet's essence.

 

[HookerBoots]

Straightening up slowly, Ivory Dawn tilted her head at the weeping girl. Crying blood was . . . disturbing. Not frightening in the way that she probably felt they were, but rather in the way that meant there was something very wrong that needed fixed. "All right," she said slowly. It was clear that whatever was happening, she wasn't helping. It was related to her, but not because of her. They could deal with it later.

She took a step back toward the door, and then another, before pausing. "I'll leave, Scarlet, but you can talk to me, when you feel up to it." Ivory Dawn pulled the towel around herself more tightly, considering whether or not she should say what she was thinking.

It seemed important, even though it felt silly to say. "I'm not scared of you, Scarlet. I trust you." Without another word, the dancer took the last step out of the door to the room and pulled it shut behind her. It wouldn't do to have some poor servant wander in there and offer help, only to have himself terrified or hurt because Scarlet was too wound up. She wouldn't do it on purpose, but it could happen.

On the way back to the baths - she wasn't sure if she'd go back in or not - Ivory Dawn turned a corner and almost ran smack into Gunesh. "Oh! Hello, Gunesh," she said, smiling up at him.

He blinked down at her, taking in her lack of clothing. "Hello yourself, beautiful," the Dynast said. "I thought you were in the baths? I was coming to join you all."

She blinked, then looked back down the hallway she'd just come down. "Oh, I . . . I got turned around, chasing after Scarlet."

 

[Armphid]

Gunesh turned to look down the way that Ivory Dawn had come from. Chasing after Scarlet...she wasn't bleeding, nor was there any blood on the floor, so it didn't seem likely that the girl had attacked anyone again. But perhaps she'd felt the urge and retreated. From what she and Tri had told him, something about intimacy seemed to set the darker side of her power off. "I see. That's interesting."

He looked back down at Ivory Dawn and sighed, "I do love that outfit on you, gorgeous. I wanted to join everyone else in the baths...but now I think I need to go and hit a few places in town before nightfall." Some of the savants in Cayir might have some useful books. He was starting to put things together, he thought. He just needed more information. "I wonder if anyone from Sijan is in town...hrm. Anyway, I'm going to head out."

The tall genius gave her a wave as he walked past, "Come on, I'll take you past the baths on my way out."

~~~~~~~~~​

Tri was just getting to the good parts of undressing when Scarlet rose, and Ivory Dawn going after her. She had a suspicion as to why the girl had left; her hand moving to her own throat and her fingers sliding over the clear, unblemished skin where Scarlet had bit into her and drank of her lifeblood.

She shivered; though she wasn't sure if it was from horror or arousal. Or both.

The blond looked over at Roaring Winds. Gods, he was a magnificent young man. She wanted to feel his chest under her fingers, his strength under her, his manhood within her...but the whole mood was spoiled. Tri shook her head, "I'm afraid, Roaring Winds, that life with this little group is never peaceful. Things are...complicated in ways that we don't even really understand."

Despite no longer fully having amorous intentions, she nevertheless undid the belt of her tabard before pulling the garment up over her head to leave her in naught but her panties, her orichalcum chain shirt, and the sturdy chemise beneath. "If you'll stay, I'm sure you have questions about all of us but especially Scarlet. I won't compromise her privacy but I'd be glad to tell you what I do know, and help you understand what's gone on between all of us."

The chain came off and the chemise was tugged open a few moments later, falling down her arms. "If you don't mind me joining you in the bath, that is. I'd like a good, long soak and a deep scrub. And I always like company for both."

~~~~~~~~​

Tor felt like he shouldn't touch anything.

This whole place was just...such opulence! It was more than he'd ever even imagined that he see! The room he and Cunning Starfire were in was richly appointed, by the peasant's standards though in truth it would be a bit sparse and spartan for even a petty partician of the Blessed Isle. But to him it was a fortune undreamed of.

His armor was off; the youth now removing the set of clothes he'd been given to wear beneath it to avoid pinches and abrasions from the gear itself. Though he wondered if he needed it, with as light and cunningly fit as it was. "This is amazing," he said for possibly the tenth time. "But I bet you've seen wonders that make this look like nothing, haven't you, Cunning Starfire?"

His question was met with silence. Tor blinked and looked back at the lush bodied Lunar. She was seated on the room's ample, from his point of view, bed and sitting cross legged. She was watching him and her face was sad; sad and regretful, with a deep loneliness in her normally wild eyes. "...Starfire, what is it? What's wrong?"

She lowered her head and took a breath, "Regrets, my Tor. Thinking of how certain things might have been, if I had taken you south when we met, as I wished."

There was something to this, something serious. But he didn't know what. Tor walked over to the bed and knelt in front of it, on one knee before Cunning Starfire. "There's no way to know what would have happened. But things worked out well this way, right? We're both alive, and stronger now. And we have friends. I mean...when this," he tapped the spot on his forehead where his Caste mark appeared, "happened...I thought I'd be alone for the rest of my probably short life." He blushed, "But then I met you and it all changed."

The dark skinned woman's teeth shone for a moment in a smile that came to her lips against her will. She looked down at him, "You are a sweet boy, my Tor." He flushed and seemed to look as though he wanted to gainsay her. "Too sweet for this wicked world." She seemed to make a decision in that moment, "I care for you, my Tor. You know this, yes?"

"Of course I do." He tilted his head to one side, his handsome young face utterly confused. "Starfire, what's going on?"

She didn't answer immediately but instead took him by the shoulders and drew him up onto the bed, laying back onto it, "It will keep." She kissed him and drew him down against her, a hand curling its fingers in his hair, "Stay with me a while now, my Tor, and love me. As though we were to die tomorrow."

 

[SwordsOfTheDane]

Roaring winds surfaced from the water with a soft gasp. It was invigorating. He heard Tri speaking, when She was done he opened his eyes and looked over at her. He blinked, He was not sure what he was seeing, or how he should feel about it. He had had women since his Second Breath, but Tri, the subtle details of her body revealed, was gorgeous. "I, uh, I have no objection." He really did not. He did not know what to feel about Tri, the animal parts of him wanted to take her, but his more tempered parts knew it was not the time, and the smallest parts of him did not know if acting at all would violate some unknown part of the bond.

"I feel it would also be fair to give what explanation and information you would ask of me," A small smile graced his mouth, "One good turn for another, yes?" He slid himself back slightly propping himself with his arms until he was sitting upright. He looked around idly and noticed that his mate, Scarlet as Tri named her was missing. He fought down a momentary panic he didn't expect. "You said her name was Scarlet, yes? She did not give me her name when she told me all of yours." He thought back and some things were piling in his mind, Scarlet was not sure she was a solar, then what was she?. He noticed a marring on Tri's neck and he felt oddly worried.

 

[Armphid]

"I've met few men that do," Tri smiled in response to Roaring Winds lack of objection. The lovely young woman very casually untied the string of her panties to let them fall open at one side and flutter free of her fair form. "But thank you for allowing me to join you."

The water felt...positively erotic as it washed over her skin and she didn't even bother to hide her moan as she slipped most of her body beneath the surface. She closed her eyes and took in a deep breath before she spoke again. Then she shook her head, "It is not her name."

The Zenith's earth brown orbs opened and looked at the brawny Lunar carefully, interested in seeing how he reacted to what she had to say. "She told us all to call her The Scarlet Star, or simply Scarlet for short. But she was very clear that it was not her name, that she had given up or lost her name somehow."

Tri stood up and waded towards Roaring Winds, her skin gleaming with beads of wetness and her creamy skin clean and shining. "Listen to my story, Roaring Winds, and you will know as much as the rest of us about her. You will have to judge as we have, and come to your own conclusions. But I will tell you that...she scares me and delights me. She is dear to me and I sense that she fears that as much as it pleases her or more."

She slid next to him in the pool, her body barely brushing against his, and began to speak. Tri told him of how they had all met at the manor of the Potentate, of Tor and Scarlet's battles with the raksha, and the prizes claimed, of the bizarre and terrifying display of Scarlet's dark powers that had happened since then.

Tri did not tell him about what had passed between her and the girl at the farmhouse. It was not hers to tell, in her mind.

As she finished talking of their time at the farmstead, Tri leaned back and nodded. "You know as much now as it is mine to tell you, and almost as much as we ourselves know." She laughed a bit, "I am sure to you it will seem like little, and I suppose that it is. But we Sun Children have little information about anything, so to me...it is not so strange as perhaps it should be."

 

[SwordsOfTheDane]

Roaring Winds tried to mull over that Tri had said, "Never in my years..." He didn't know what to think, it was so different. "... I mean, I gave up my name when I, well, these." He gestured to the tattoos that swirled and raced down his body.
"I actually don't know what my birthname was," He said offhandedly, almost like he was saying he'd forgotten his hat. "She gave you what her title was," he chuckled, it was a warm sound that resonated deep in his chest. "Would you truly believe Roaring winds was what my mother named me?" He smiled. "I would not believe you to have been born Triumphant Mantis, though if you were," another soft chuckle, this one more relaxed. "I would believe it is a much more common practice in Lunars to take a different name, but it is nice to see it is not an exclusive habit."

"Her powers sound, awe-striking, and troubling" Another chuckle, this one sounded rather predatory, with odd resonances. He seemed to be slightly amused by the whole thing. It did not sound like he was deriving any kind of pleasure from hearing what had happened, more that he knew in his own way what they were going through. They did not have the advantage being Fostered by one older than they were. "They struck down raksha, very impressive. I was not judged ready to fight them until three years ago." He closed his eyes and leaned his head back and stretching his arms out to either side along the rim of the bath, one lightly brushing against Tri's back. "I had it much easier, I was Fostered, taught, by a sister of mine much more experienced in the ways of one of Luna's Chosen. You all have done remarkably well for having such little information to go with." He looked at her, appraising her and taking in the sight of her body.

The stopped for a moment, thinking. He felt an odd tang of heartbreak. Scarlet did not want him, or at least that was the impression he'd gotten from her. If I am not wanted by my mate, I will return to finding my own way, be it with these Lawgivers, with the Swords, or elsewhere. He resolved that he would find his way, damn the bond. He wrapped his arm gently around Tri and pulled her into a kiss.

 

[Armphid]

Tri let out a soft, startled gasp as Roaring Winds pulled her into his strong, hard muscled body; the sound becoming a giggle before it was silenced with his lips. Gods great and small, he felt marvelous. Warm, strong, firm, and...oh, yes, big all over, it seemed.

She smiled into his kiss and answered him with a hungry passion of her own. Her arms moved to slide her fingers over his sculpted chest and mighty arms, stroking and caressing the muscles there, gliding over his tattoos.

Her lips broke from his and she gave the pale skinned young man a coy look, "That was sudden; I'm used to men at least flirting a little before hand. It's oddly refreshing."

She ran a finger down his cheek, "I want this, want you, but you should know that this doesn't make me yours. Or anyone's. Nor will I ever make a claim on you." Tri's smile was dazzling, "Love and sex do not claim to me, they are, and are to be enjoyed."

She gave him a moment to push her away if he wished and then kissed him with eager firmness and her hands resumed her exploration of his body. They slid beneath the water now, and she cooed into his lips as her fingers caressed his manhood for the first time.

 

[SwordsOfTheDane]

Roaring Winds mind was repeatedly playing what Tri had just said. "I want this, want you, but you should know that this doesn't make me yours. Or anyone's. Nor will I ever make a claim on you." It burned in his mind. His, Hers, anyone's; Claims. He felt her hands on him, and Silver Mother it felt good. He wanted to feel more of her but her words were echoing infinitely in his mind. He flashed back to the many nights he had spent in the boarder and middle marches, the nights he'd spent in the arms of others, knowing that at any time they could be attacked, they could be killed. There was no claim there, only need. But this felt different, And it made parts of his scream in protest.

He tensed and pulled away, "I, I must go," He slid away from her, a dozen different shades of pain on his face, more than one of them different regrets. His movements were awkward, blocky, like it was his first time in his body. He stood up and stepped out of the bath and with shuffling steps started towards the doors. He started to look back at Tri, but stopped himself. She was not his, would never be his. He was bonded to a girl that seemed to loath him. He sped his steps away, artfully dodging around Genesh and Ivory Dawn. "Apologies." He did not know where he was going, and he didn't care. He just needed to get away, and to get her words out of his head.

 

[HookerBoots]

Ivory Dawn watched, bemused, as Roaring Winds dashed past, his clothes in his hands. "Gunesh, you've been here before, right?"

He nodded, his own eyes following the naked tattooed man until he turned the corner and went out of sight. "Yes, a few times."

"Is there something in the water that makes people run away from friendly overtures?" Her lips quirked. "I mean, that's two people today. Is it something here?"

The former Dynast looked at her, his eyes twinkling, and he laughed heartily. "I've never noticed it before today." He ran a hand through his hair. "I suspect the events of the day have taken a toll on everyone's nerves. Perhaps we should just spread the word that if people wish to be alone, they can be, and meet for dinner."

The copper-haired dancer nodded. "That seems like a wise idea. I'm going to get my clothes, and I'll let Tri know. Unless you're taking a bath as well now."

He shook his head as they started towards the baths. "No, I'm going to head out for a bit. I'll be back well in time for dinner - I'll let you know where the others are, so that you can let them know about the plan we've concocted, if you like."

They turned the corner to the baths, and spotted Tri up to her shoulders in the water, blinking owlishly at nothing. Ivory Dawn dropped the towel and headed to her clothes. "What happened, Tri?" she asked as Gunesh squatted by the edge of the tub.

"I . . . have no clue." The blond bombshell seemed confused and vaguely irritated. "I just wanted everyone to be able to have a nice, sexy, fun time here, and then . . ." she waved a hand at the entrance to the baths, "that." She blew out a huffy breath. "I was looking forward to it, too."

Gunesh bit back a laugh, but the sound of it in his voice made Tri give him a wry look. "Well, what can you expect, darling? New people don't always rub each other the right ways at first." She splashed at him, a little indignant, and he danced back, grinning. "I wanted to let you know that I'm heading out for a bit - I want to see what travelers are in town now."

Ivory Dawn grinned at him. "We think it might be good for everyone to have some alone time, and meet up for dinner together. Give everyone time to get used to the whole 'group' thing." She held her underthings in one hand, still pale and naked in the steamy air. "Unless you don't want to be alone, of course."

 

[Armphid]

Tri smiled and shook her head, "No, now that you suggest it, perhaps some time alone to reflect and pray would do me some good as well." What had she said to set off Roaring Winds? Or even Scarlet? She had wanted everyone to feel safe and welcome here...

And they may yet. There was no need to assume anything bad. "I think I'm done for now. But after dinner, Ivory Dawn, sweetheart, I would adore some company." She winked as she got up out of the pool of water and began to dry her creamy skin. "Gun, be careful out there, all right?"

He'd be fine. She was sure he'd be fine. But nothing today had gone exactly how she'd thought it would.

He nodded, "I will. I've got a feeling I'll need to keep my wits about me. I'll be back, and I'll send word directly if anything untoward happens." Gunesh bowed to the ladies and went out of the baths and down the hallway, heading towards the main hall and then to the town beyond the manse's gates.

Tri didn't dry herself as thoroughly as she could before she pulled her clothes on. Now that Ivory Dawn mentioned it, being alone to think sounded very good after all. "I'll see you at dinner then." She turned to leave and almost ran into Scarlet, "Oh! I'm sorry, Scarlet. I almost ran right into you."

 

[Kinkerhell]

Scarlet leaves the room not long after Ivory Dawn, waiting just long enough to stop crying. Now that she's away and that looming darkness isn't quite so imminent, she feels rather stupid and weak for running off. More than that, she owes Tri an apology. Now dressed and armed and looking every inch the killer she is, Scarlet steps out into the hallway.

And almost collides with Tri. The other woman is still wet from the baths, and and what clothing she wears is clinging to her curves like a second skin. Startled, Scarlet, normally graceful, almost falls on her tight ass. She recovers, her heels clicking. "Tri!" she exclaims. "I was just coming to see you. I...I wanted to apologize for running out earlier." She shrugs. "It's hard to explain, but that's no excuse. That's twice I've abused your hospitality. The rest of the group, too, but you in particular, and especially in your home. I-" Scarlet breaks off.

Tri's expression seems slightly distraught, and Scarlet's slim brows come together. "Tri, what's wrong? Is it something I did?" She stops. "Are you alright?"

 

[Armphid]

Tri blinked at Scarlet's appearance; the beautiful girl's face streaked with red tracks as if tears of blood had poured down her face. It was shocking and brought her to a full halt, her mind reeling. And somehow made her sweet and almost shy words all the more potent and oddly belonging.

She shook her head after a moment, "I'll be fine, Scarlet. Just...well, I'm afraid I upset Roaring Winds somehow and sent him running off not unlike you did." The blond sighed ruefully and smiled, her expression resigned, "I'm all right, and I'm not offended, dear. Just...well, I wanted everyone to feel welcome and wanted, in more ways than one."

The Sun's priest put a hand on the girl's slender shoulder, "But it has been an emotional day for us all. No one blames you and you have not upset me."

 

[Kinkerhell]

Scarlet snorts delicately. Saying that today has been emotional is like saying Lookshy is a big city. Its technically true, but it fails to really convey just how true. In an apologetic tone, Scarlet says, "Well, don't blame yourself either. I'm still learning about my condition, and sometimes I feel like I'm a marionette, dancing on something else's strings." She shrugs, and its clear that she means the statement more than in just a vague figurative sense.

"I was hoping to talk to Gunesh about it, but perhaps you can help." Scarlet leans against the corridor wall and says, "I know the Solar exalted are empowered by The Unconquered Sun himself. I'm also fairly certain that I'm not drawing the same power, but something equivalent and yet antithetical to you." Scarlet cocks her head. "Do you know any tales of things that are almost as mighty as Sol, and yet opposed to him?" Scarlet pauses, then puts a hand to her throat. "Oh dear! I'm sorry, you were going somewhere. I shouldn't be monopolizing your time."

 

[SwordsOfTheDane]

Roaring Winds just kept running. He finally stopped when he found a corner devoid of Tri's followers and fellow Exalts. He managed to fold himself surprisingly small. He was totally silent, looking off into the aether. He tried to understand why he left, why he hurt, why he wanted her.

He thought back to what Cerulean Belladonna, the one who fostered him had said when he'd asked her about why he felt impulses so strongly sometimes. She'd theorized that their spark brought their higher and lower souls into closer alignment, more as a single form. He wondered how much validity there was to her scratchings. Was that the source of all of his confusion? Then why was he so upset when Tri mentioned claims. He let out a shouted roar of frustration. He stood up and climbed on top of the wall and then on to the roof of the building.

He stared up at the darkening sky and the rising moon. Mother, why? Why are we tied to them? I know that there must be some reason, I only wish to know why. He felt like a child asking a parent why it rained or why the wind blew. He did not was the ask Cunning Starfire, though she would know so much more than he about this sort of business. He was a Lunar Exalt of the Full Moon caste, set for him because of his might, and he would push through this until what he needed done was. He closed his eyes and felt himself, not drift into sleep, but into a a no state. His mind attempting to balance itself, he would have many more dealings with the Sun Children before the night was through.

 

[Armphid]

Tri shook her head, "Sweetheart, if I'd had my way, you'd be monopolizing my time in a wholly different fashion anyway." She pursed her lips and thought a moment. "Gunesh has gone to see if he can get to a few savants he met in town before they close ship for the night, but he's doing it because he things he's close to putting the pieces of your nature together. Or at least finding some of the larger bits of the puzzle."

She crossed her arms under her breasts, her hips shifting to her right. "The only things I can think of are the Yozis...who made and ruled Creation, and who the Exalted overthrew for the Gods, the stories say. Some of them were slain, but those who weren't were imprisoned in Malfeas."

The blond shook her head, "They are the only ones I can think of. Though your power...it feels like a dark and, well, unholy thing to me. But not the same as a demon."

 

[Kinkerhell]

“Well, that's...good, I suppose.” Scarlet chews her lower lip in thought. “I don't think that I'm channeling from a demon either, though I'll be the first to admit that my knowledge in these matters is not as complete as it could be.” She shrugs halfheartedly. “I don't know, Tri. I don't know what to do. When I was just a mortal, I was miserable, but at least I knew where my life was going. Now I have more power than I could have ever dreamed of, and I feel so lost.”

The pretty little redhead sighs. “I don't know what my purpose is, or what's empowering me and trying to control me. I wake up with nightmares some nights, screaming and crying because of things that I have no name for.” Scarlet slumps, drawing into herself and seeming smaller and more fragile than the icy killer she normally presents as herself. “I remember dying. Did I tell you that? The fair folk killed me. Here I stand, but I remember the moment when I stopped living. That's when I became what I am now, whatever the hell that is.”

 

[Armphid]

"No, you hadn't told us that part. Oh, sweetie, I'm so sorry." Tri felt awful for the poor girl in front of her and at the same time, her mind reeled. Scarlet had died and then gotten her power? That had to mean something. Something critical, she was sure of it. Damn it, why did Gunesh have to have left now?

Tri shook her head and gave her pale and lovely young friend a comforting smile, "It's hard to feel lost, to not know yourself or your path. But you're not alone in that. I don't think Tor knows his path yet, or Roaring Winds either." The rest of them were all older when they Exalted, most established, with ideals they could already follow and channel into their new lives.

The blond wanted to reach out and touch her. To hug the girl, or put a hand on her shoulder, but she didn't always react well to being touched. Something about...whatever could control her or push her didn't like that. Was it the touch or the feelings behind it that the force responded to?

"But for what it's worth, what you are doesn't have to determine what you do." She pressed a hand to her chest, "My Exaltation gives me certain leanings, and it fits with the direction I was going before it all happened. It sounds like, in some ways, your power came to you differently. Without necessarily fitting your existing nature. Which gives you the choice on how to use it and what you want to do."

She smiled again, "I think saving people from the Fair Folk is a pretty good way to start." Then she let the smile shrink a bit, "But, honey, I know it sounds bold or silly, but we'll find why these things are happening to you, and we'll find a way to free you of it. And then you really will be able to choose your own way. Maybe for right now, finding out the nature of whatever takes hold of you and figuring out how to resist it or break its hold; maybe for now, that's your path."

~~~~~~~~~~~~​

Cunning Starfire moaned, her head going back on the soft pillow that lay at the head of the bed in the room she and Tor would share. For a time, at least. The moonsilver tattoos on her nude body seemed to glow faintly in the dim light of the chamber, casting shadows over her ripe curves as she writhed on the sheets and blankets.

Tor's head was between her legs and her hands twined in his hair, gripping him and pulling his face more firmly into her sex. "Hhn, yes, my Tor, just like, ahh, like I told you." She bit her lower lip and shivered with delight, "Ohhh, such a quick learner."

He had worshiped her body after she'd stripped off those silly clothes; his hands and mouth exploring and caressing, fervently tasting and giving due homage to her. It felt good, it felt right, to have him so obedient and reverent. But in her heart, she knew he would disobey her again, go against her. And that would force her to act.

How sad. It should be like this always.

Tor couldn't hear her all that well, but he could feel her satisfaction and her earthy enjoyment of his actions through the ring that gleamed on his right hand. Her scent was heady and had a sharp tang and it filled his nose and his mouth as he pleasured her with an eager tongue.

Her hands pulled his hair harder and she let out a rolling almost growl, "Again, my boy, my mate, once more and I will let you breathe."

She could do it now...but she hadn't set the right conditions for it. Besides, he should have this heaven with her this time. Perhaps the last time.

 

[HookerBoots]

Most of the temple sang of the Sun resplendent, and the rooms felt bright and full of the golden hope that His glory brought. But Ivory Dawn had managed to sneak out of the baths without Scarlet or Tri seeing her, and was now searching for a place. Her feelings were a bit snarled, and for no good reason, really.

But none of these rooms were where she needed to be to get her mind and heart realigned. Finally, she poked her head into a room and blinked. This had to be an interior room - no windows, two doors, no locks on either. It was dimly lit, a fire in the small fireplace warming and illuminating, casting moving shadows over the walls and the furniture.

She'd hoped that Tri's home and temple would have at least a small room for the other aspects of the Sun, but she hadn't really expected it to feel so . . . right when she found it. The copper-haired dancer moved into the room, shutting the door lightly behind her. This is . . . good, she thought, moving to sit on one of the low chairs, legs folded into the lotus position.

Her eyes slipped shut, and she told herself to keep track of how long she was here - being late for dinner wasn't on her agenda today. As she did so, she didn't see the empty golden circle on her forehead light up. and as she meditated, she didn't see the ghostly glow of her anima begin to appear, all dusty purple, silver and washed out gold.

~ ~ ~ ~​

Gunesh slipped into the tavern named "The Winter Maiden" and bellied up to the bar. The bartender grinned at him, filled a tankard with ale and slapped it down in front of him. "I'll be a dead wood spider! Didn't think we'd see you again so soon, Enoral!"

The former Dynast grinned back and downed half the tankard in one swallow. "Well, just proves what a damned fool you are, Jacorl!" He flipped the man some jade, and took the rest of the tankard down. "What brings me to this den of thieves, friend, is information."

"Oh?" The sandy-haired man raised an eyebrow. "What sort?" He refilled the tankard and set it down again.

"I'm wondering if there are any travelers in town, from Sijan, or thereabouts."

Almost unconsciously, Jacorl made a sign against evil. "Why would you want them? They're strange, dark, I hear."

Gunesh nodded, his eyes steady. "That's part of why. I need to see if they've got information I want - the patron's got an interest, you know." He rubbed the first two fingers of his right hand together with the thumb in the universal symbol for money. "If they won't share, that's fine, but I've got to find someone so I can tell her I tried."

The bartender nodded, understanding dawning on his face. "All right, well. There's a few in town now, more than a few, really. I think they sent in a trade caravan?" He shrugged. "Dragons know why, but there it is." His eyes went to one corner of the bar where a lone, pale young woman was sitting, a truly nasty looking set of daggers on her belt. "That lass is one of 'em, won't say what they're here for or anything."

"You don't say." Gunesh rubbed his chin thoughtfully, eying the young woman surreptitiously.

A small glass filled with a clear liquid that almost burned to smell it thumped down on the bar in front of Gunesh. "Here's what she's drinking. Good luck, Enoral - she ain't been friendly so far."

 

[Kinkerhell]

After their conversation, Scarlet leaves Tri to find a place to just sit and think. It seemed like it had been forever since she'd done any introspection, and more than ever she needed to look inside herself. Maybe there'd be some answers there.

As night begins to fall in earnest, Scarlet finds herself sitting in a remote corner of the temple gardens. Cross-legged, her swords across her lap, Scarlet sits on a stone bench half-hidden by several trellises of roses. Her back straight and her eyes closed, her hair waving gently in the cool evening breeze, she breathes slowly and deeply, her wrists resting on her blades, which sit still and quiet in their sheathes. Her armor gives off a faint hum, as though someone had picked the lowest string of an instrument and the sound hadn't quite died away.

So much had happened! All the fighting, the hunting, the killing, and she was no closer to understanding what she's become than she was a month ago. All she knows is that she's empowered by something dark and terrible, but probably not demonic, and that this exaltation is not newly minted. In a past life, she's known Roaring Winds at least, and possibly some of the others. The vision had been so fleeting...

Scarlet concentrates on the flash of memory that she first experienced when meeting Winds. For some reason, the memory won't come as it should. She concentrates harder, working around the problem in her mind, calling up individual aspects of the hazy vision, and suddenly it is there before her.

Then, like a flower blossoming, more follow it.

She stands atop a broad, white crystal stair in a shining city. All around her are wonders great and small, and the exalts walk the streets of this place openly, smiling, laughing, talking, crying, shouting. It is life in a city, no more, no less, save that every she turns there are marks and banners aplenty.

She is locked in combat with a thing too awful to describe, an abomination that has many titles and no name. She fights it because she is the best, the first. Claws, tentacles, and other, stranger appendages lash at her, but her golden armor turns them all, and with a victorious shout, she rips the creature asunder, scattering its essence.

She stands on a dias of gold, inlaid with yellow, black, and white jade. Behind her, three hundred solars stand as she turns around. As she holds aloft her mandate, they kneel.

She stands in front of a pair of great double doors, silver shod with gold. Above the doors is an inscription: M-R-L.

There is a sword, beautiful and terrible at the same time. It is a blade of two metals, black on one face and gold on the other, five feet long from tip to crossguard. The hilt is wrapped in scarlet leather and the pommel bears a sphere of tigerseye, also black and gold. There is writing on the blade, but she cannot make it out.

Scarlet's eyes flash open and she gasps in the aftermath of the flood of memories. Ye gods great and small, what was that? She shakes her head, but she cannot get the visions out of her mind. She must ask someone who knows more about these things. She needs Gunesh, needs him now.

Scarlet hops up from the bench, dimly realizing that she's been sitting there wool-gathering for some time. Darkness has fallen, and her legs are asleep. She staggers, and winces as circulation returns on pins and needles. Returning her blades once more to her sides, Scarlet goes off in search of Tri, or Dawn, or Tor, or Winds, or anyone who might know where the savant went.

As she walks, visions of a golden host and a great blade haunt her.

 

[SwordsOfTheDane]

It was getting dark and Roaring Winds knew it. A cool breeze caressed him as he slid off the roof and landed with a hollow thud on the soil below in one of the gardens. He secures his robes fully around himself, the stalk white a contrast to the warm tones around him. He started to pad out of the garden just in time to see Scarlet, a troubled look on her face. He started to walk up to her, an despite everything that had happened, concern for her on his mind.

He caught up to her and matched her pace. "Scarlet? Is there something wrong? You look troubled." He tried to put down his misgivings about her regarding earlier. It was certainly going to be an interesting evening.

 

[Armphid]

Jacorl the bartender shook his head as he poured another pair of drinks and handed them off to the tall savant he knew as Enoral. Gunesh nodded his thanks and took them back to the table, "I'm sorry about the reception you've received, Honorable Mortician." He set one of the wine glasses down in front of the pale woman the bartender had directed him to earlier. "This far north, few know how to recognize your position, let alone respond to it."

She inclined her head. The sleeves of the long robe she wore pulled back just enough as she lifted the glass to reveal the simple but specific silver bracers that announced her status as a Mortician of Sijan. "That you did surprised me, but it was a pleasant surprise." She was pretty, with high cheekbones and soft features, her eyes a pale gray and her hair the white of pristine snow despite her apparent youth.

Gunesh lifted his glass, {Old Realm} "To the honored dead."

The woman's eyes became speculative and she raised her glass as well, {Old Realm} "The honored dead." Her gaze stayed on him as they both drank; eyes searching. "You came here hoping to find someone from Sijan. Though I don't think you told your friend the bartender the truth as to why."

Gunesh chuckled ruefully, "Sharp ears, Honorable Mortician."

"You may call me Alabaster." She took another drink of the deep red wine, "And when a man like you walks into a place like this, a smart person pays attention. So." He was sure she didn't mean for it consciously, but the smile that she directed at him was decidedly predatory, "Whatever would you want with someone from the City of the Dead?"

~~~~~~~~~~~~​

Tri took set the last of the plates down and looked over the long table. "Some of us will have to sit close, but that should fit everyone." She had changed clothes into a snug fitting blue robe of the same style the other people at the temple wore, though hers was trimmed with a sunny yellow and she wore her golden collar around her neck. She was wearing her armor under it as well, though that could not easily be told.

"Are you certain, Resplendent Sun, that you want us here?" One of the monks raised his brow and shook his head, "There may be things you need to say that are not for the ears of mortals."

The blond sighed, "Poor Sarl. Still got all that Immaculate hierarchy under your skin." She shook her head, "I'm still mortal, Sarl. I know that I can die, and I don't believe that an Exaltation makes me any better than anyone else. We've always all eaten together when I'm here and I don't want that to change."

The monk sighed and inclined his head, "As you wish." He looked at her with a rueful expression, "You really aren't what I expected. I'm continually surprised."

She laughed, "A girl tries her best. Come on, let's see if they need any help in the kitchen."

~~~~~~~~~~​

Tor grunted as he was thrown to the floor of the room hard; his the still healing wound on his back sending a spike of pain through him as he landed hard. "Guh!" The lower half of his face glistened with wetness and he could taste Cunning Starfire still on his lips, "Starfire, that h-"

She was on him in a moment; making a clean liquid dive of inhuman grace. Her her right hand caressed his face before sliding down to let her fingernails rest at his throat, "Shh, now." Her teeth were gleamed like polished silver in the dark of the room as she panted out the last quivers of her latest climax, "Poor boy, Tor. I got a little carried away." She leaned down and kissed him, turning it into an almost bite as she moved lower on him, scraping her teeth over his throat and dragging her breasts down his bare chest.

Tor bit back his moans; this felt good but it was also...off, somehow. He could tell that something was bothering her. "Star-" Her fingers pressed against his lips and shushed him and his breath rushed out in a gasp a moment later as he felt her fiery hot silken sex sink down onto his cock.

"Shh, I said." She wiggled her hips, nibbling at her lower lip as she took him into her; her young, strong mate thick and hard and hot inside her core. "Don't talk, don't think, just let this be. I will take care of you, if you let me. Never forget that."

~~~~~~~~~~​

It was almost two hours later when Gunesh returned to the manse. He had made an effort to take a different route that normal; even utilizing the windblade to shoot to do a quick aerial move across town. The meeting with Alabaster had left him feeling...uneasy.

She knew a lot that she'd shared and far, far more that she hadn't. Alabaster...she'd said he could call her that. Not that it was her name. Not unlike...hm.

 

[Kinkerhell]

Scarlet doesn't start. She doesn't flinch, or jump, or cry out, or any other reaction that would be normal for a young woman surprised at night by a large man. Instead, she moves, with the blinding speed and savage instincts that she'd developed since her exaltation.

Turning, her right hand flies to her sword hilt. The man is too close for her to execute a full draw-and-strike, so she simply draws up and out as fast as she can, and is rewarded with the solid feel of Lament's hilt colliding with the large man's jaw. He staggers back a step, more surprised than hurt.

Scarlet pivots on the ball of her right foot and brings her left around in a kick at the other man's head, but he turns it with his hands, his block so powerful that it actually starts her spinning the other way.

No matter. She puts her foot down and rotates from the hips, bringing her now-freed blade around in a blur of black and silver. It strikes the other man across the chest, but doesn't do more than tear cloth and score a long but very shallow gash across his chest.

Her strike completed, she reverses the direction of the blade, about to call forth her power and fully intent on striking the man's head from his shoulders. Only then did she realize who faces her, that she's about to do her best to remove the young, powerful lunar from the face of creation. She freezes in place. The whole thing, from start to finish, takes less than a second.

Around her, the fallen petals of flowers, disturbed by her sudden flurry, reach the apex of their flight and begin fluttering to earth.